Most of Birch Drive on the Experimental Farm will disappear.

 HEADS UP! ROAD CLOSURE ON BIRCH DRIVE. (Photos are included in the friendsofthefarm article.)

 1. Section of Birch Drive closed on July 11, 2022 at the new hospital site.

2. Birch Drive closure at Maple Drive and bulldozer, August 16, 2022.

3. "Construction Site". Birch Drive closure near the William Saunders Building, August 16, 2022. (From: friendsofthefarm newsletter, Fall of 2022, Volume 34, page 3/12.)

The Civic Hospital has taken over property north of the William Saunders Building. However, the Experimental Farm is protected by:

•   a 1954 Privy Council Order-in-Council approved by Prime Minister Louis St-Laurent;
•  the 1988 National Interest Land Mass designation created by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney;
•  the 1950 plan created by PM Mackenzie King and Jacques Greber that designated 900 square miles of land in the National Capital Region as a memorial in perpetuity to Canadian soldiers;
•  the National Capital Commission's "Plan for Canada's Capital" and
•  a document called "The National Interest" in the 1975-1976 NCC Annual Report, page 9/52.

The William Saunders Building and The Central Green.

Permanent changes to Maple Drive.  "It is imperative that supplemental trees be planted to preserve the beauty and recreational nature of Maple Drive for the numerous pedestrians, cyclists and visitors passing the historic buildings, ornamental shrubs and greenhouses." (Page 10 of the document "Civic Hospital Development Plan by Botanica Residents Committee" Ward 15, Kitchissippi, Ottawa, August 12, 2021.)

What historic buildings? What ornamental shrubs? The Civic has already indicated that the Dominion Observatory campus is not included in future plans. (See the information below, The Sir John Carling Location.) Agriculture Canada employees were told to dig up the Historic Hedge Collection. And "Emergency Vehicles Only" signs will be posted at the Maple Drive and Prince of Wales Drive entrances. Google: "New Civic Development for the Ottawa Hospital" page 27/83.) savecfbrockcliffe.) 

The Sir John Carling Location:

• On this site we have at least 24 buildings, including Buildings 1 to 9: Natural Resources Campus including the Dominion Observatory.
• Number 20, the K.W. Neatby Building and Oilseed Research Centre.
• Extensive demolition or relocation of buildings is required for the new build to proceed. (Google: "New Civic Campus. A 21st century hospital in the heart of Canada's Capital, April 2016, page 10/76.)

  

  The Dominion Observatory and South Azimuth were stripped of the designation Classified Federal Heritage Building. And the Geophysical Laboratory, Machine Shop Building and Seismology Survey are no longer Recognized Federal Heritage Buildings. (Google: Federal Directory of Real Property website, and go to Agriculture Canada property number 08625.)

  Damage to nearby heritage buildings. 

• The Romanesque Revival style Dominion Observatory (1905), which is an Ottawa landmark. Its future use will be impacted by proximity to a towering hospital building and the use of Maple Drive as an emergency vehicle entry point.
• The South Azimuth (1912) is endangered by the emergency route.
• Building 12 (1904) the historic Animal Laboratory and Forage Crops Building at Maple and Carling.
• The Bee Building (1915) near the corner of Maple Drive and Winding Lane.
• The former Poultry Building #34 at the what is currently the intersection of Maple and Birch Drive. Behind it is a collection of smaller poultry houses, one of which is currently being renovated for ceremonial use by First Nations.
• William Saunders Building. (From: Submission on Civic Hospital Development Plan by Botanica Residents Committee, Ward 15-Kitchissippi, August 12, 2021, page 10/15.)